SYFY TZ Marathon - The Howling Man

 

Oh, anyone that knows my love of Universal Monster Movies wouldn't be the least bit surprised that "The Howling Man" is absolutely my jam. John Carradine dressed as Moses complete with white hair, robe, and staff, and all that gusto he could muster as the leader of the Brotherhood, dedicated to keeping the Devil locked up while Mr. Ellington (Wynant), who arrived in a rainstorm rather ill, questions whether or not this type of religious order is keeping an innocent man locked up because they are all mad. Hughes as the prisoner howling is often probably best remembered under the Devil makeup, horns, pointy ears, and cape but I think the way he handles the character can't be understated. Pitiable and begging for help, Hughes howling man does appear weak, disheveled, and held against his will...nothing about how he looks or sounds raises red flags that he's Evil Incarnate. So Ellington is duped while Carradine looks right the opposite. The way Carradine delivers his lines, how he walks, his eyes, how he's dressed...if the Devil ever wanted to cast doubt towards his adversary, Carradine's Brother Jerome provides ammunition. The Devil...that trickster. And Carradine's claims of how they determined he was the Devil...it's questionable, but Ellington soon learns the hard way how wrong he was. Can't judge a book by its cover and all that jazz. Love the angles, the use of thunder and lightning, the castle and its atmosphere. I could see why some TZ fans might feel this particular episode just isn't for them. It is very literal and flashy. Everything is full of oomph and style. I love "The Howling Man"...right up my alley.

This was cut down by SYFY